India’s growth story

The Indian economy is boosting with growth and is attracting the foreign players to come, invest and be part of the aspiring Indian investment climate. One of the leading sectors harnessing the limelight potential is the Indian Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector, with a market size of US$ 25 billion (2007–08 retail sales). Food products being the largest consumption category in India, so much so that the sector constitutes nearly 2.15 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP). India is recognised as a cost-effective quality manufacturing base in the world market. Food products accounts for nearly 21 per cent of the country’s GDP. India is the largest producer of several fruits, such as banana, mango and papaya, and the second-largest producer of vegetables such as brinjal, cabbage and onion. The food processing industry is one of the largest industries in India, and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth.

Tracking the size of the food processing industry in India, it has increased from US$ 57 billion (INR 2,736 billion) in 2004 to US$ 75 billion (INR 3,600) in 2007. Moreover, the sector attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) worth Rs 576 crore (US$ 127.50 million) in the first eight months of 2010-11, according to Mr Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries.

CG Foods, a noodles and snacks firm set up by Singapore-based Cinnovation Group, is all set to invest Rs 40 crore (US$ 8.82 million) for establishing a manufacturing plant in Gujarat.

The FMCG forms a concrete part of every individual’s life. With the facilitation from the Indian government and the relatively aloof economy during the recession, the companies are foraying into the Indian market with their products in order to tap the vast middle class base of India.

The industry intends to provide additional option to the consumer. Keeping the lead, companies are also looking forward to spend upon research and technology (R&D), with Nestle, another FMCG major plans to invest Rs 230 crore to set up its first R&D centre in India at Manesar in adjoining Gurgaon district.

The invariably growing Indian economy is witnessing its golden age, with the Indian talent in research being recognised globally. The companies foraying into India harness the potential and reap the benefits of the low infrastructure, production and labour costs. In addition, the companies in India like the Pune-based Thermax, has initiated a solar project at a village in Chakan near Pune, in association with the Department of Science and Technology at a cost of US$ 2.84 million to electrify the village. It is these developments, which form the backbone of the growth story of India. It is technology sector, which forever provides inputs to the innovation and research and ignite the investment climate in India.

Significantly, research in science and technology sector includes various sectors include nano technology, renewable energy, space sector besides other related sectors. The investment climate in India being conducive and open to be harnessed is all ready for companies in India and that from abroad. In all the presence of good, sophisticated and latest technological infrastructure attract the foreign firms to have their respective development centres in India, besides reaping the benefits of the lucrative investment climate in India.